From the President’s Desk by Michael Ianni
Wordsearch
The Wurst Kind of News
DANK National Convention resolves to aid the refugee crisis in Germany
St. Nicholas in Germany
Presidential Proclamation — German-American Day, 2015
Presentation Spurensuche: Then and now

Deutsch-Amerikaner Quiz
“Lots of people want to do something”
German Football Museum Opens in Dortmund
+ Get to know your new Präsident
Pittsburgh Chapter summer picnic a great success!
+ Bay City convention was a positive experience
2015 National Convention

Typography
Ronald Kabitzke
Kabitzke Familien GmbH

Advertising and Classifieds
Russ Knoebel

DANK Chapter Lake County, IL bus trip to Cedarburg + Elections
DANK Chapter Milwaukee Activities, Membership Recognition, and Election
DANK Chapter South Bend Oktoberfest at its best
+ Pittsburgh Chapter partakes in raising funds for local Food Pantry
Gannon University Students Discover Deutschland!
Aus Oma's Küche – Dresden Stollen
2015 German-American Day Celebrated in Friendship Garden
It happened at Glienicke Bridge
Celebrating the German Language Certification with the Consul General
Gauck in America - A man with messages

General Information
German American Journal -ISSN 1086-8070
is published bimonthly and is the official
publication of the German American National Congress. Periodicals postage paid at
Chicago, IL and additional mailing offices.

Calendar of Events
Milwaukee's German Immersion School and English testing requirements

DANK does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information published herein. DANK reserves
the right to change or amend submissions
for any reason without prior notice.

PAGE/SEITE 4

German - American Journal

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

From The President’s Desk
Mike Ianni, National President
Growing up, you could always tell when the holidays were getting closer. My
Mom would decorate the house in all its splendor. My Dad would get all of us excited to visit all of our relatives and the house would always smell like fresh pine.
The holidays are an exciting time of year as we get ready to celebrate many timeless traditions. With all of your busy schedules, hopefully you will be celebrating
the season with your chapters in true DANK style.
As your newly elected President, it is a privilege to serve you and be part of
such a wonderful organization supporting German Americans across the country. I'd like to thank Beverly for her service as President and for continuing on as
Secretary. As my beautiful and much more intelligent wife has said many times
that I don't know everything, I know there is much to learn and I am fortunate to
have a great Board who will also be great teachers.
Along those lines, it would be wrong to assume that I know how best to help all
of you. The question I've heard for many years is "How does DANK National provide value to the chapters?" I'd like to ask all of you to think about this question as
we'd like for all of your chapters to be as successful as possible. What can we do to
help your success? The best part of all of these questions is that the answers come
from all of you. You are the voice of the organization and we are eagerly listening.
At our National Convention this year (Vielen Dank, Bay City, you were die
Beste!), Consul General Quelle challenged us to become part of the modern Germany; to evolve as an organization. Our traditions have made us who we are and
need to be continued, but just as the German immigrants came to America to be
part of an ever-changing country, what could be stronger than all of DANK doing
the same? All of you have that same determined heritage and passion to pass on
your knowledge. After many years of volunteering and serving on the Board of
the Chicago chapter and seeing it evolve as an organization, I know that change is
possible and it helps everyone succeed.
Another part of our mission is to support those in need, so please don't forget
to support our resolution to support the refugee crisis that our friends and family
in Germany, Austria and all of Europe are facing. If you'd like, head to this web
site to make a donation: https://www.aktion-deutschland-hilft.de/en/spenden/
donation/
Lastly, I hope to meet each and every one of you during my term over a Stein,
Kaffee oder Kuchen, and hear about your story, your chapter or share a laugh.
As we all go through this journey together, I am honored to be part of it as your
President.
Ich wünsche allen DANK Mitgliedern, und ihren Familien und Freunden, eine
Frohe Weihnacht!

DANK seeks to bring together Americans of German descent in the pursuit of cultivating and presenting
their heritage and interests on local,
regional and national levels. These
were the primary reasons that the
German American National Congress
was founded in 1959 and they are
still among the organization’s primary objectives today.
DANK National Executive Board

The Wurst Kind of News
German meat producers see red after world health officials warn that processed meat raises cancer risks.
By Elena Brenk-Lücke
German meat producers see red after world health officials warn that processed meat raises cancer risks.
World health officials fired the first
shots in the wurst wars this week when
they warned that processed
meat — sausage, ham, hot
dogs and bacon — raises the
risk of colon cancer.
Now meat producers everywhere, especially in Germany, the world’s sausage hub,
are rising to defend their savory wares.
Eating too much fatty meat
has long been linked with
clogged arteries and heart disease. But on Monday, a panel
of experts that advises the
World Health Organization
said 34,000 cancer deaths per
year were linked to eating processed
meats. The experts also said eating red
meat “probably” raised cancer risks.
By comparison, smoking causes 1
million cancer fatalities per year, alcohol 600,000 and pollution 200,000, according to the International Agency for
Research on Cancer, which issued the
warning and consists of public health
experts from 10 countries.
The reaction from Germany has
been predictably strong.”No one should
worry about having a bratwurst,” said
German agricultural minister Christian
Schmidt of the conservative Christian
Social Union. “Putting bratwurst on the
same level as asbestos or tobacco is worrying people unnecessarily.”
In the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany, ham producers accused the experts of unsettling consumers. Ham association boss, Hans
Schnekenburger, claimed the panel did
not back up its warning with facts and
figures. Ham, he countered, had no hidden health dangers and could be eaten
without worry.
The federal association for the Ger-

man meat products industry agreed.
“There is no one food responsible for
cancer,” it said. “There are other factors,
such as personal lifestyles, hereditary
predisposition and environmental influences.”

Other companies declined to comment specifically. But a spokesperson
for Tannenhof, a producer of Black Forest ham, pointed out that the findings
are nothing new.
Indeed, medical experts from Harvard warned as early as 2012 that people
who eat red meat, sausage or ham on a
daily basis were shortening their life expectancy considerably. Various studies
followed that linked high consumption
of meat with serious illness. The current
warning is based on 800 previous studies and revealed the same results.
That is what the German food industry association has criticized. It points
to the “absence of clear scientific proof ”
that red or processed meat really is a
cause of cancer.
“Up to now it could never be scientifically proven that meat contents could
harm humans — whether it really was
the meat itself, or perhaps its processing in the form of curing, smoking or
fermenting,” said managing director
Stephan Becker-Sonnenschein.
However, Germany is also seeing a
decline in meat consumption and a rise

in sales of meat substitutes.
“German companies that are traditionally associated with manufacturing meat products are now entering
the market for meat substitutes,” said
Wiebke Schoon, an analyst at Euromonitor International. “It seems
unlikely to appeal to consumers
who refuse to purchase meat due
to animal welfare concerns, but
it may be the start of a new era of
vegetarian products in the mainstream market.”
As for the latest health study,
should consumers really be
frightened? The International
Agency for Research on Cancer
concedes that the individual risk
of developing colon cancer from
meat consumption is relatively
low. But it does increase with
the amount of meat consumed.
That is why for years, food experts have
recommended a healthy lifestyle with
plenty of exercise, a well-balanced diet
and moderate meat consumption.
The German association for nutrition, for example, advises against eating more than 300 to 600 grams of meat
and sausage products per week. The latest study has no problem with this in
principle. On the contrary, according to
World Health Organization boss Christopher Wild, it is further confirmation
of the current health recommendation.
Or, to quote Winfried Kretschmann,
state premier of Baden-Württemberg:
“Everything is poison – only the dose
matters.”
From another big meat-producing
country, Australian agricultural minister Barnaby Joyce also dismissed the
new warning. “If you got everything
that the World Health Organisation says
is carcinogenic and took it out of your
daily requirements, you are heading
back to a cave,” he said.
Elena Brenk-Lücke is a reporter for
Handelsblatt Online. To contact her:
brentluecke@handelsblatt.com

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 7

DANK National Convention resolves
to aid the refugee crisis in Germany
Dear Friends of DANK,
As most of you know, there are
many challenges occurring abroad
with the refugee crisis stemming
from the Middle East. During our
National Convention, Consul General Herbert Quelle was able to join
us and provide an overview of the
situation that our friends in Germany
are facing. It’s a daunting task to be
able to accommodate over 800,000
refugees this year.
I am happy to share that the delegates at the National Convention
all voted to accept a resolution that
signifies our support for Germany
during this time. The Consul General commended the DANK National
Convention for expressing this support for Germany in the refugee crisis at the recent German-American
Day celebration in Chicago at St.
Benedict’s on October 4th, 2015.
Hopefully, you are able to share this
exciting news with your chapters.
Additionally, we invite you to voluntarily participate in a “Chapter
Challenge” and share with DANK
National and the other chapters
what you will do to support the refugee crisis. It could be either raising
funds or simply having a discussion
on the matter at an upcoming chapter meeting. Whatever you feel the
appropriate way to support the crisis
will be the right way for your chapter. The important thing is to support
our heritage and the challenges the
world faces.
Thank you for supporting DANK
and best wishes to the continued
success of your chapters!
Kind regards,
Michael Ianni

National President
German American National Congress

The link for making donations to the refugee relief fund in Germany has been sent to us by the German Consulate. Use the link:
https://www.aktion-deutschland-hilft.de/en/spenden/donation/
Be sure to use the pull down menu and click on number 3 for your
donation to go to Germany for use with shelter and food for the
refugees.

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 8

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

St. Nicholas in Germany
by

Francine McKenna, Staff Columnist
He wears bishop's vestments. A red
cape embroidered with gold and miter, carries a golden crosier, bishop's
staff, and in many areas of Germany
and Europe this elderly white bearded
St. Nicholas will arrive on doorsteps
of children's homes on December 5th,
St. Nicholas Eve - Nikolausabend, and
December 6th, St. Nicholas Day - Sankt
Nikolaustag.

In some German regions a brown
clad, hooded and soot smudged attendant Knecht Ruprecht, Servant Ruprecht, accompanies him, and they visit
schools or meet children who are out
and about in the days leading up to St.
Nicholas Eve.
"Lustig, lustig, tralalala...bald ist
Nikolaus wieder da!" but excitement as
well as some work fill those days. Winter
boots or shoes must be carefully cleaned
and polished ready to hold carrots, apples or hay put into the one each child
can place in front of a door, or perhaps
on a windowsill, on the evening of 5th
December. Nikolaus, St. Nicholas Eve.

This is when the saint is believed to
visit, feed his white horse the boot's contents and, if the owners have behaved
well during the previous year, refill
them with candy, perhaps the first letter of their name in chocolate and some
Spekulatius as well as small gifts. All of
which are meant to be shared with family and friends.
Should they have been somewhat
less than "good" however, it could be
that when they rush to inspect their
Nikolaus Stiefel, Nikolaus boot, in the
morning it will be to find only a piece of
charcoal or a twig.
Poems and songs are learned for St.
Nicholas' visit, small presents made or
cookies and Niklaus Bread Men baked
for him, then as evening comes families, friends and neighbors wait while
he goes from house to house knocking
on doors. For children a time of wonder
and mounting excitement.
At least on the first occasion after
that there could be some trepidation,
as he carries a large golden book and
somehow in this book there is a list of
the year's deeds and misdeeds.
Children, and often adults, stand
in front of Sankt Nikolaus as he reads
aloud from the list and questions them:
Have you been well behaved this year?
Did you work hard at school?
Was it you who broke that window?
St. Nicholas opens the gift sack held
by Knecht Ruprecht, in the past a dark,
frightening figure who wore a torn,
dirty robe and carried a large sack on
his back in which, children were told, he
would put all those who were naughty.
Although his reputation as a disciplinarian is no longer as terrifying as it was
in those days, he can still strike a little
fear into the hearts of children who have
been "naughty", and not "nice", in the
build up to Saint Nicholas arrival.
If the list of misdeeds in St. Nicholas

Knecht Ruprecht
book is too long then it could be the
hopeful recipient will not only receive
no praise but also leave empty handed
this year, although perhaps with the
intention that for the next St. Nicholas
Day they will make sure things will turn
out differently.
Songs are sung, poems recited, talents displayed, the hand made gifts given him, then St. Nicholas and his traveling companion must leave because there
are many homes to visit before the night
is over.
Who is St. Nicholas? These days he
is thought of more as a kindly old man
than a catholic "Saint".
He is a mixture of several beliefs and
traditions although thought to be mainly based upon Nicholas of Myra, now a
region in Turkey but in the 4th century
part of Greece, and also Nicholas Abbey

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016
of Sion, later Bishop of Pinara.
Both men were renowned and admired for the work they did helping the
sick, oppressed and poor.
The historical and legendary St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, a Christian bishop
celebrated for performing miracles and
secretly leaving gifts for the poor and
deserving in their shoes, probably never
existed.
Nevertheless, although no longer
recognized as a saint by the Catholic
church, he is remembered and revered
amongst Christians and remains the
patron saint of amongst others children,

German - American Journal
sailors, marriageable girls, travelers and
Amsterdam, as well as the protector and
friend of all those in need or in trouble.
Nicholas of Myra died in 343 AD, on
December 6th, the date commemorated
for generations as St. Nicholas Day, and
a day of enchantment and the spirit of
Christmas for young children, while the
folklore surrounding him is an inspiration to live a selfless and considerate life.
As Nicholas was a Catholic saint
when Martin Luther introduced the
protestant religion to Germany he ordered a Christkind, Christ Child, celebration on Christmas Eve as a substitute
for the earlier Catholic Nikolaus festivities.
This tradition is still followed by
many protestants, while religious families sometimes choose to focus on December 6th as their time for gift giving

PAGE/SEITE 9
as by this they make sure it is Jesus' birth
that is celebrated at Christmas.
Not the commercialized Father
Christmas or Santa Claus who has
grown from the legends and tradition
surrounding St. Nicholas.
So in many homes on December
6th a benevolent old man with a white
beard, red cape and bishops miter will
appear, and ask Have you been good this
year?. To be answered with "Yes" even if
there are sure to be one or two lapses to
be seen in his golden book.
While those who don't actually see
him will know they have not been forgotten because, instead of treats left
for a white horse, chocolates, candy
and gifts will be lying in their highly
polished boot or shoe.
Frohen Nikolaus!

New Ulm's 2015 Oktoberfest receives national recognition

Nicholas of Myra

By George L. Glotzbach
The 2015 Oktoberfest in New Ulm,
MN has received national recognition from numerous influential media.
The Germanic-Amerikan Day Parade,
outdoor street dance in historic downtown, indoor events at Best Western
Plus, wine-centered program at Morgan Creek Vineyards, traditional tent
extravaganza at Schell’s Brewery, and
involvement of local businesses, all
combined to produce one of the best
Oktoberfests in America.
New Ulm’s two weekends were
ranked: # 5 by the readers of USA TO-

DAY; among the three cited by TravelPulse.com; among those recommended
by Fodor’s Travel; # 5 by Conde Nast
Traveler on Fox News; # 9 by Tripping.
com; and featured by Parade Magazine
in <oktoberfestinformation.com>.
Judging by the big crowds at all these
venues in New Ulm, "The Most German
City in America”, this year's Oktoberfest
earned these accolades. Planning for
an even bigger 2016 has already begun.
New Ulm’s Oktoberfest celebration will
be held Oktober 7 - 8 and 14 - 15 in
2016. Visit www.newulm.com for more
information.

PAGE/SEITE 10

German - American Journal

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

Presidential Proclamation
German-American Day, 2015
By The President Of The United States Of America
Throughout our history, German Americans have woven
distinct threads into the fabric of our country. In extraordinary ways -- by crossing the Atlantic, planting roots in communities across our country, and spurring shared advances
-- German Americans have proven our Nation's diversity
makes our society ever stronger. On German-American Day,
we celebrate the immeasurable ways their talents and ideas
have helped shape the progress of our time.
Since their earliest days on America's shores, the German
people have striven to realize the fundamental promise that
everyone deserves the chance to make of their lives what
they will. Building up our society as architects and artists,
inventors and engineers, they continue to push boundaries and bolster dreams in their communities and across our
country. From their service in our Armed Forces to our classrooms, we see the strength and passion of German heritage
integrated into the identity of our American family.
The stories of German-American men and women also
remind us of the important partnership between our two
nations. In the 70 years since the end of World War II and the
quarter century since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Americans
and Germans have inspired each other and worked to address key challenges that affect the world we share. From
combatting violent extremism and climate change to expanding economic and educational opportunity for women and girls, our common principles bind us together as
inseparable allies. As we commemorate the strong friendship between our peoples, may we never forget our unique
histories, and may we continue working together to reach
for a more peaceful and prosperous future.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested
in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States,

do hereby proclaim October 6, 2015, as German-American
Day. I encourage all Americans to learn more about the history of German Americans and reflect on the many contributions they have made to our Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand
fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and fortieth.

Interesting Reading for Everyone
of German Heritage

228 207 8820

His parents were immigrants from Germany

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 11

Presentation Spurensuche: Then and now
By Christa Newerla Garcia
Background: The website www.spurensuchemidwest.org is based on a brochure sponsored by the representatives
of the Consulates General of Germany,
Austria and Switzerland, the Goethe Institut of Chicago and the various German-speaking communities in Greater
Chicago. The brochure attempted to
document the presence of peoples from
German-speaking areas in Chicago and
the Midwest, primarily after World War
II. The aim was to describe their presence and capture it in its breadth and
diversity.
(Since the creation of the
website "Spurensuche" the Germanspeaking community has lost the presence of the Swiss and Austrian Consulates in Chicago as well as their valuable
resources.
The Creation: The Spurensuche
Committee soon recognized that these
goals would best be served in an easily
accessible and adaptable way. The Illinois Humanities Council agreed with
the Spurensuche Committee and approved a grant, which made the creation
of this website possible. It was conceived
specifically with German teachers and
students of German in mind but it is
also of great interest to the public at
large, documented by the 13,000-19,000
hits per month world-wide. The website
has become a useful teaching and learning tool, while giving the impetus for
further research into the German languages and culture.
The Website was created in 2003 and
was sponsored by DANK - German
American National Congress, GAEF the German American Education Fund
of 1973 and the American Aid Society
of German Descendants). It is divided
into the following main sections:
Media, Organizations and Clubs,
German Language Schools, Research
Topics and Teaching Resources.
The Content: The first theme relates
to the immigration and root-taking of
people from German-speaking Europe
after the Second World War (Migration
and Settlement) followed by successful
cultural dialogues between artists and

other known personalities in art and
architecture. Included are also beloved
culinary specialties of their countries of
origin. We learn of the rearing of Lipizzan horses at the Tempel farm in Illinois, the stained glass windows at Navy
Pier in Chicago and we can examine the
history of the social movements and the
origin of Labor Day commemorated as
the Haymarket riots.
Each main category is again subdivided into various links. For instance
Media is subdivided into Radio and Music, German Newspapers, and TV, Film
and Video. Perhaps the greatest gift to
teachers of German are the Teaching
Resources, subdivided into General Information, Professional Organizations,
Goethe Institutes and Language Consultants along with Teacher Training,
Lernorte and German Internet Courses,
Text Books, Tests and Testing, Elementary, Secondary and College Level links.
There are also plenty of links to German
Speaking Heritage and to Holidays and
Events for all levels.
Of special interest to visitors of this
website might be the Tafelausstellung:
Link to your Roots from the recently
proclaimed Weltkulturstadt Hamburg
which is also Chicago's sister City.
http://www.spurensuchemidwest.org/
wordocs/Exhibition%20HH-Emigration%20Port%20Tables%201-24.pdf
The AATG (American Association
of Teachers of German) Chapter Northern Illinois and the German Language
School Conference (GLSC) has featured
the presentation of this information rich
website www.spurensuchemidwest.org
at their German language conferences.
Spurensuche Committee:
Bernd Klewitz - b.klewitz@web-horizon.de Responsible for Research Topics
Joseph J. Stein - aasschwob@ameritech.net Responsible for Organisations and Clubs
Christa Garcia - cngarcia@earthlink.net - Responsible for Language Schools and Teaching
Resources.
Ingrid Zeller - izeller@northwestern.edu -Responsible for Research Topics and ''Bauhaus"
Leo Schelbert - lschelbe@uic.edu - Historical
Advisor
Rolf Achilles - rachilles@artic.edu - Sister Cities and German and Austrian Stained Glass Windows

Deutsch-Amerikaner Quiz
Match the statements with the names below:
01. Major General in the Revolution, Lutheran minister
02. Fought for freedom of the press
03. Hero of the battle of Oriskany in the Revolution
04. General in the American Revolution
05. Major General in the Revolution - topographical engineer
06. designed the Brooklyn Bridge
07. America's Ambassador to Spain under Abraham Lincoln, commander
of German American regiments in the Union army, U.S. Senator, Secretary of
the Interior under Hayes, championed civil rights for Indiana and the national
park system
08. inventor of the linotype
09. chief developer of electricity
10. Leader in New Deal legislation and the social security system
11. Physicist, theory of relativity
12. political cartoonist, created the modern image of Santa Claus and the
symbols of the Democratic and Republican parties
13. Piano manufacturer
14. brewer
15. helped build the N.Y. Philharmonic Orchestra
16. risked her life in defense of the flag; imortalized in Whittier's poem
17. heroism at Monmouth
18. merchant, millionaire
19. voiced the first protest against slavery
20. constructed rockets; important in space research
21. diplomat under Nixon, Secretary of State, Nobel prizewinner
22. President of the C.I.O. and labor reformer
23. designed sturdy cloth during the Gold Rush
24. Said: "German immigrant influence has been pervasive, in our olanguage, in our mores, in our customs - in our basic philosophy." (born in the
U.S.)

Who are the many volunteers looking after refugees in
Germany, and what is their motivation? Serhat Karakayali
of the BERLIN Institute for Empirical Integration and Migration Research at Humboldt University, himself a son of
Turkish immigrants, has studied the structures of the assistance provided to refugees, together with political scientist
Olaf Kleist.
Mr Karakayali, there has been a considerable increase in
willingness to help refugees in Germany, and lots of people
are doing voluntary work. Can you put a figure on this increase?
That’s difficult, because most helpers work in structures
they have created themselves outside of big associations and
institutions. But a significant increase was also reported by
most of the established organizations we interviewed. The
number of volunteers working with refugees has risen by
around 70 percent since 2011, i.e. since the beginning of the
civil war in Syria.
In what ways do the people get involved?
Previously, voluntary work with refugees focused primarily on helping the people with integration and organizing their everyday lives. This still happens today: the helpers
help them deal with government authorities, translate for
them, give them LANGUAGE lessons, help with transport.
In the current exceptional situation, with so many refugees
arriving, more basic forms of help are also needed – the volunteers distribute food, sort clothes that have been donated,
or set up tents for temporary accommodation.
What motivates the helpers?
Several factors play a role. According to our survey, the
volunteers’ motives are primarily humanitarian and relate to
HUMAN RIGHTS. By contrast, religion seldom plays a role
as a motive. The development of the past few weeks and the
dramatic TELEVISION images of the refugees have had a
big impact and made many people want to do something.
And of course it’s also the case that, if I can help someone
who is obviously in great need, it makes feel happy.
Is there is a “typical” refugee helper?
Yes, you can say that. According to our survey they are
typically female, well educated and financially not badly off.
We also found that a particularly large number of people
with a migration background want to get involved. They
account for 40 percent of the volunteers; that’s twice their
share of the overall population. When these people help,
their feeling is: “I can understand the situation you’re in.”

German Football Museum Opens in Dortmund
The German Football Museum opened its doors to thousands of fans over the weekend, proving once and for all that
in Germany, soccer is king. The six-year and 36 million euro
undertaking is sponsored by Adidas and Mercedes and has
been endorsed by the Bundesliga and German Football Asso-

Get to know your
new Präsident
As we have so many members around the country,
it would be great to help you get to know your new
President. Michael Ianni originally hails from Canton, OH, and has been fortunate over the years to enjoy living in Washington, DC, Salzburg, Austria, Linz,
Austria & Chicago, IL, which is his current home.
After graduating from The George Washington University with a Bachelors of Business Administration in
2001, Michael worked for Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
LLP as an Investment Management Analyst. This was
followed by Michael being accepted into the Austrian
American Educational Commission’s U. S. Teaching
Assistant Program offered in partnership with the U.S.
Fulbright Commission. He spent two years working in
Linz, Austria, for two private schools teaching English
as a Second Language. Michael returned to the U.S.
in 2005, and joined Nuveen Investments, where he is
still employed today, and has held multiple positions.
He currently holds the title of Vice President, Sales
Development Manager, in their Global Private Client
Group. Additionally, Michael received his Masters of
Business Administration from DePaul University with
concentrations in Entrepreneurship and Sales Leadership. Afterwards, Michael became an Adjunct Professor at DePaul University in the Marketing Department’s Center for Sales Leadership teaching Effective
Business Communication. He is currently in his 6th
year as an Adjunct Professor. Michael also achieved
the Prüfung Wirtschaftsdeutsch in 2007 through the
Goethe Institut – Chicago which is offered by the Federal Republic of Germany’s Chamber of Commerce &
Industry. After spending the past 3 years on the Board
of Directors of the Chicago North Chapter, where he
served as President and is currently Treasurer, he is
very excited to be joining the DANK National Board.
Also, he and his wife, Laura, are very eagerly looking
forward to their first child next spring.

Pittsburgh Chapter summer
picnic a great success!
August 23 was a beautiful day in Pittsburgh in more than
one way. While the weather was perfect for a Picnic, the attendance of 50 plus members and guests for our annual Summer
Picnic made it that much better. The Brats and Beer provided
by the Chapter supplemented all the wonderful food brought
by our Members and their guests with German music playing
in the background.
This year we also invited members of the German Meet
Up group to join us and we were happy to see several of their
members present, which allowed for more than usual conversations in the German language to take place. “Gemütlichkeit” was present throughout the afternoon with those
present appearing to truly having enjoyed the event. Thanks
to the Kugler Family for preparing the Picnic grove and Erik
Wittmann for providing the decorations. Most of all “thank
you” for those who made the effort to attend and make it a
successful event.

Best Wishes
to all for the
New Year
Erie, PA #71

By Monte Oswald
President, DANK Chapter Great Lakes Bay Region
The DANK Convention was a Wunderbar Success for our
club Great Lakes Bay Region DANK. We received a lot of positive news coverage and our treasury was filled up with greenbacks…Vielen Dank to all guest and members who helped to
make this happen!
Our labors to make homemade sauerkraut and horseradish has paid off as we now enjoy the Fall Flavors during these
festive times.
Our club started out assisting the Federal German Republic Consulate with a Wurstfest Alpine Hat sale and we continue to find new means of revenue for the migration problem.
We’re thankful that Consulate General Herbert Quelle was
able to share his insights on this important issue and we hope
to continue our efforts for our old homeland.
The Great Lakes Bay Region DANK has a new logo decal
and we welcome any member to display it proudly along with
our national DANK decals. Feel free to contact us if you’d like
to purchase one for the price of $2.00, 989.280-0712 -Monte
(Great Lakes Bay Region DANK, Decal sales, 1108 Water
St., Bay City MI. 48707)
What Christmas Season wouldn’t be complete without a
tour of World Famous Frankenmuth? Check out the videos
on our chapter’s FACEBOOK page where we keep fun and
interesting films of everything German!!
“GREAT LAKES BAY REGION DANK”
Congratulations to our new national DANK President Michael Ianni and his new motto: Are you a member of DANK?
Here’s a brochure to tell about our German-American Club.
Leben ist Gut!

Chapter Chatter
2015 National Convention
While the weather was less than ideal, our host chapter,
Bay City rose to the challenge making sure that everyone
had a great time from sign-in until the closing on Sunday.
We heartily thank them for all their talents in making this a
memorable weekend.
While high winds kept the dinner cruise docked in port,
that didn’t stop the delegates and guests from enjoying traditional foods accompanied by great music to get everyone in
the mood. Then it was back to Convention central and our
6th floor hospitality room that was like none other we have
ever seen! There were many tables laden with various snacks
and cheeses, and a dessert ‘bar’ with so many types of torte
that it was hard to pick just one (or two)! Of course the beverages helped us to enjoy even more the music provided and
there was a lot of ‘singing along’ with those favorites we know
so well with Gary Dietz (trumpet) and then the band. Later

of knowing that her fellow board members helped her accomplish her goals for the organization and she thanked them for
stepping in representing her when needed. It was all teamwork. Her hope was that the new president will bring a new
vitality to DANK and help us to regrow into an even stronger
organization. Following a short break, the new officers were
elected: Michael Ianni (Chicago) President, Erik Wittmann

German Consul General Herbert Quelle

The new DANK National Board, l to r: Ron Kabitzke,
Mike Ianni, Bev Pochatko, Bob Miske and Eric Witmann
German Consul Herbert Quelle joined in with his harmonica.
Gemütlichkeit was the order of the evening as everyone renewed old friendships and made new ones.
Saturday was off to a slow start when (as usual) as some
delegates don’t seem to have their German punctuality in
tune with the schedule. The meeting was delayed due to a lack
of a quorum and reconvened 30 minutes later. The business
meeting went quickly and orderly and the outgoing officers
gave their reports. Natl. President Beverly Pochatko said that
while she was stepping down, she did so with the confidence

(Pittsburgh PA) 1st VP, Ron Kabitzke (Milwaukee) 2nd VP,
Beverly Pochatko (Erie PA) Secretary, and Robert Miske (Sheboygan WI) Treasurer.
German Consul Quelle then addressed the delegates and
guests.
Saturday guests and delegates attended the Oktoberfest
dinner celebration at the SteinHaus Restaurant. Food was excellent, the music was very enjoyable and everyone had a great
time. Baskets donated by the Chapters were raffled off and
the 50/50 winner was Charlotte Chase of Erie. Newly elected
President Michael Ianni presented Beverly Pochatko with a
plaque recognizing her four years of dedication and service as
past national president.
Sunday’s meeting started as scheduled with the new Executive Board and a renewed request from Chapter Chicago
South regarding revenue rebate from dues to help their chapter. After much discussion, it was approved with stipulations
that they must participate in the national raffle to help them
raise funds and to host the convention in 2017. Chapter President Dietz said he would take it to his board and get back to
national in two weeks’ time.
As the meeting adjourned, everyone quickly gathered their
belongings and headed for their transportation home, but not
before hugs, handshakes, and thank you’s were exchanged.

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

German - American Journal

Chapter Chatter

PAGE/SEITE 17

PAGE/SEITE 18

German - American Journal

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

Chapter Chatter
DANK Chapter Lake County, IL bus trip to Cedarburg, Wisconsin; Elects a new Board
By Ursula Hoeft
DANK Chapter Lake County
On October 10th DANK Lake County members and
friends boarded a bus and headed to historic Cedarburg, Wisconsin for the town's 8th Annual Oktoberfest. They enjoyed
music, dancing and a live Glockenspiel show that was "guar-

Photo by Karl Schmidt

DANK Lake County Cedarburg Oktoberfest bus trip

Frohe Weihnachten

anteed to make you laugh" – which it did! There was plenty of
German food to feast on and an assortment of German beers,
of course!
On the bus, everyone enjoyed singing along to traditional
and popular German tunes played on his button box accordion by Erwin Goering. It almost made the ride seem too short!
We have Judy Kanka to thank for organizing this fun trip.
DANK Chapter Lake County's New Board
DANK Chapter Lake County, Illinois held an election
meeting on November 1st. Board members for the coming
year include Greg Hoeft, President; Richard Bookie, Vice
President; Karl Schmidt, Treasurer, Membership Chair and
Archivist; Judy Kanka, Recording Secretary; Ludwina Homer,
Corresponding Secretary and Auditor; Ursula Hoeft, Publicity Secretary and Auditor; Helmut Appelt, Advisor and Auditor; Hella and Erwin Goering, Vera Schalk and Fini Schmidt,
Advisors.
President Greg Hoeft addressed the Board, stating that he
looks forward to a successful year. He commended Richard
Bookie for his willingness to serve as Vice President.

Frohe Weihnachten
to the Members of
Chapter Pittsburgh from
your Executive Board

und ein glückliches
Neues Jahr
wünscht

Lake County Chapter #5

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 19

Chapter Chatter
DANK Chapter Milwaukee Activities,
Membership Recognition, and Election
By Jane Nacker
DANK Chapter Milwaukee
DANK Chapter Milwaukee had another busy Fall. The
Milwaukee DANK Chor, directed by Dr. James Norden, performed at the Estabrook Bier Garden on August 16. They were
also asked to sing with the Schwaben Männerchor for their
concert on October 31. They are actively practicing for the
upcoming Christmas concerts.
The Milwaukee DANK Folk Dancers, directed by Doris
Mueller, performed for the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi residents on October 6, and for the Our Lady of the Angels residents on October 16.
DANK Chapter Milwaukee held a combined Membership
Recognition meeting and Election on October 25 at Sacred
Heart Croation Hall. Membership Secretary Ursula Günther
coordinated the membership awards. Members with 5 to 50
membership years were recognized with a certificate and coordinating DANK pin. Those receiving certificates and anniversary pins were:

Next, members voted for the DANK Chapter Milwaukee
Board. Results for two year terms are as follows: President
William Bessa, 1st Vice President Don Wohlfeil, 2nd Vice
President Brigita Roth, Secretary Sally Shearer, Treasurer Victoria Ohde. Advisors to the Board are: Gene Brunner, Irene
Brunner, Edwin Günther, Heidi Günther, Ursula Günther
(Membership Secretary), Doris Mueller (Dance Director),
Edward Mueller, Jane Nacker, Gary Roth, James Schmidt, Jill
Shearer (Chor President), Deanna Sommerfeld, Holger Sommerfeld, and Jack Williams.
After a busy day, everyone enjoyed camaraderie, a buffet dinner, and beverages. New members joined, and others
signed up to volunteer or try out the dance group and Chor.
DANK Chapter Milwaukee is on Facebook! See photos,
videos, and chapter news. “Like” us at www.facebook.com/
dankmilwaukee.

PAGE/SEITE 20

German - American Journal

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

Chapter Chatter
DANK Chapter South Bend
Oktoberfest at its best
By Christine Weiss
DANK Chapter South Bend
DANK members met at Weiss' Gasthaus on October 24
to celebrate the Oktoberfest. John Tarwacki hosted the event
and Mark Rydzinski entertained everyone with his accordion, playing Polkas, Waltzes, and sing-alongs. The room was
decorated in traditional bavarian colors, resembling the sky
and the clouds. During the evening we prosted many times
to the happy occasion. A Yodel contest was won by a young
lady by the name of Tricia. Six contestants entered the beer
drinking contest with the anticipation of drinking a full stein
of beer, however, six baby bottles were brought out instead.
Clara Custers grandson finished first and received a beautiful felt hat, straight from Bavaria. The evening was filled with
fun and was enjoyed by everyone. A big thanks to John and
Mark, and everyone who came out to make it a special night
to remember.

Pittsburgh Chapter partakes
in raising funds for local
Food Pantry
By Erik Wittmann
Pittsburgh Chapter President Emeritus
As part of our Chapters ongoing effort to do projects to
benefit the local community and support DANK’S St. Nicholas Project, the Chapter held its second annual “Bratfest” to
benefit the George Steiner Food Bank. The one day event,
held on October11 raised close to $700 for the Food Bank.
This effort in its second year is done in conjunction with the
Concord Presbyterian Church, the home church of our former vice President George Steiner. Funds raised with this effort and others on the part of the church provide resources for
Food Baskets for the needy during both Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
The Chapter will also be collecting funds at our annual “
Weihnachtfeier” to be held on December 4th at the Teutonia
Männerchor. Donations can be mailed to DANK Chapter 58,
P.O. Box 24563, Pittsburgh, Pa 15234 payable to the George
Steiner Food Bank.

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

German - American Journal

Thank You Great Lakes Chapter
Reinhard Lippert and I Donna J Lippert would like to personally “thank you very much” for a wonderful time we had
at the Great Lakes Dank chapter in Bay City for the convention. We all so very much appreciated the great meals and fellowship and we enjoyed meeting all new members from the
chapter up north! I never knew how nice of a town Bay City is
and hope that next we can plan several trips for a visit! Thank
you once again for a nice time and we really appreciate the
wonderful efforts made by all of you at your chapter who put
together about one of the best yet DANK conventions! It was
a "fuzzy, warm feeling" that I had when speaking to all of your
DANK members. It is evident that a wise choice was made
when you opened the chapter as it shows that your German/
American heritage is still so very strong and growing! Keep
up the great work.
Remember we are always open down here at the Benton
Harbor/St. Joseph Chapter. The next time you are in town,
give us a call at 269.926.6652. We would love to have you visit
for either a fish fry or an Oktoberfest!
Reinhard and Donna J Lippert
DANK Milwaukee Mourns the passing of

Earl B. Yanke
Earl B. Yanke, Born to Eternal Life on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 age 86 years. Preceded in death by his
loving wife Maria (nee Brandl) of 50 years. Survived by
his dear children Michele Pautsch, Mike (Gerilyn), and
John Yanke. Grandfather of 12. Brother to Howard (Ellen) Yanke and Joyce Will. Also survived by other relatives and friends. Earl proudly served in The US Navy
Reserve for 28 years.

DANK Fox Valley mourns the passing of

Noah Samuel Willis
Noah Samuel Willis was born April 13, 2012 to
Samuel James and Christina Lynn (Fuchs) Willis.
He was born back to Heaven, Sunday, September
27, 2015. He is survived by his loving parents, Sam
and Christina; his sister, Lauren; grandparents Bill and
Darlene Fuchs and Ruth and John Willis; his Uncle
Matt and Auntie Clara; Uncle Stephen Fuchs; cousins, Trevor and Jonathon Willis and a community of
friends,
Memorial donation can be made directly to these
trusted organizations that mirror Noah’s strength and
determination in battling cancer. Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation at: www.curethekids.org/donate/ Pediatric Cancer Foundation at: www.bearnecessities.
org/Donate/WaysToGive.aspx American Childhood
Cancer Organization at: www.acco.org/awareness-advocacy/donate-now/

PAGE/SEITE 21

DANK Benton Harbor/St. Joseph mourns the passing of

Bruce Alan Burke
Bruce Alan Burke, 59, of Stevensville passed away
Aug. 28, 2015, at Hanson Hospice Center after a long
and courageous three-year battle with brain cancer.
Memorial contributions may be made to Benton
Harbor Area Schools or Michigan State University Engineering School.
Bruce was born on Feb. 5, 1956, in Benton Harbor
to Darrell and Cecelia Burke. He was a proud member
of D.A.N.K.
Bruce is survived by his children: Vincent Burke
of Midland, Mich., Sophia (Michael) Strudas of Benton Harbor, and Grace Burke of Coloma; grandson,
Landon Strudas; mother, Cecelia (Warren) Seabury;
siblings: Katherine O'Connor, Judith Kibbey, Michael
Burke, and Brian Burke; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Bruce was preceded by his father,
Darrell Burke.

DANK Pittsburgh mourns the passing of

Heino Coelle
Heino L. Coelle, 90 of Cheswick, and life- long
Pittsburgh Chapter member passed away on Tuesday
September 8, 2015. Born in Bremen, Germany, he was
arrested in 1948 in Berlin by the Soviets for "antikommunistic propaganda" and sentenced to hard labor.
Heino was released after six years in the labor camp
by the new Soviet government. In a refugee camp he
met Dena (also a former political prisoner). In 1956
they got married and immigrated to the USA in 1960.
He assumed the position as director of the Radio Hour
in 1985, and together with Dena, has been "The Voice
Of The Germanic Societies for the last 25 years. Heino
was a member of the DANK group which founded the
"Bavarian Oktoberfest" at Station Square and served as
organizer and emcee for this very successful event that
brought the Pittsburgh area a much appreciated slice
of Germanic Culture and tradition. Heino organized
DANK's annual "Rhineland Karneval" at Duquesne
University and also served as emcee for this colorful
celebration.
Surviving Heino are his wife, Dena Coelle Daughter
Carina (Gary) Robich Grandchildren William (Jennifer) Robich Robert Robich Great-grandson Brooks
3 sisters; Hella Huntemann, Ilse Eschen and Marga
Bosjnak Niece Hazel Preceded in death by his parents,
Heinrich & Maria Knoche Coelle and one sister Gusta.

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 22

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

Aus Oma's Küche

Dresden Stollen
Thinly sliced Stollen and other
Christmas goodies are enjoyed
by many on Advent Sundays.
Stollen — the traditional Christmas cake — is one of the main
features of Christmas in German.
Once the Christmas season begins, you can find it everywhere
throughout the country. And it's
big business: last year 2 million
were baked in Dresden alone
and nowadays the cakes are exported throughout the world.
The cake is thought to have
originated in Dresden in the
1400s. At that time, however,
the Catholic Church, as part of
the fasting rules in preparation
for Christmas, forbade the use
of butter during Advent, turning
the stollen of the Middle Ages
into a rather tasteless pastry.
The baking tradition as it exists today began in 1650. At the
request of bakers in Dresden,
Prince Ernst von Sachsen successfully petitioned Pope Urban
VIII to lift the restrictions on the
use of butter during Advent
specifically for Dresden.
Since the cakes really are very
tasty, you might want to try your
hand at baking one yourself, so
here is a simple recipe for you.
Ingredients
Dough:
4 1/3 cups flour
1 to 1 1/2 cups milk
2.5 ounces yeast
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter

baking sheet. Let it rest for 10
to 15 minutes. Still on the baking sheet, wrap dough well in
aluminum foil and store in the
refrigerator for a few hours or
overnight. Remove from refrigerator and take off foil. Sprinkle
flour around the loaf to prevent
the dough from spreading.
Place loaf in a pre-heated (350400 degrees Fahrenheit) oven
and bake 50-60 minutes, till
pale gold in color. Remove from
oven. Brush with melted butter
and dust with powdered sugar.
Repeat until butter and sugar
are used up. Stollen should have
a thick, white layer.

Exchange Rates
1 USD = 0.91881 EURO
1 EURO = 1.08836 USD
11 -5 -15

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016

German - American Journal

PAGE/SEITE 23

2015 German-American Day Celebrated in Friendship Garden
By Jacob Comenetz,
Cultural Affairs Officer,
German Embassy Washington
The 28th annual German-American
Day was celebrated in the restored and
blooming German-American Friendship Garden on the National Mall on
the morning of Oct. 6, 2015.

in Washington, DC, representatives
and members of Association of German-American Societies of Greater
Washington (AGAS), the Washington
Sängerbund, United Church, GermanAmerican Heritage Museum, and allied
organizations gathered to pay tribute to
German-American heritage as well as
the shared values that define modern
German-American relations.
With the Washington Monument as
a backdrop, Dr. Stefan Buchwald, representing the German Embassy, delivered remarks, noting the importance of
upholding traditions such as GermanAmerican Day.

The Washington Sängerbund
performs at the 2015
German-American Day ceremony
Established in 1987 by joint resolution of the United States Congress,
signed by President Reagan, GermanAmerican Day commemorates the
date on which 13 German families
from Krefeld landed in Philadelphia in
1683—the first large-scale German immigration to America. The holiday honors the diverse contributions German
immigrants and their descendants have
made to the United States.

The restored information panel at the
German-American Friendship Garden

To underscore the significance of
the German-American friendship, Federal President Joachim Gauck, having
just visited Philadelphia, would arrive
in Washington in a matter of hours,
he said, later to meet with President
Obama, Vice President Biden, and US
Secretary of State Kerry. Federal President Gauck’s visit coincides with the
Embassy celebration of the 25th anniversary of German reunification on Oct.
3, 1990.
After a prayer and the singing of the
German and U.S. national anthems,
AGAS president Gerhard Meinzer,
serving as master of ceremonies, introduced the speakers who read the
German-American Day proclamations
from Maryland, Virginia, the District of
Columbia—as well as the Presidential
Proclamation from Barack Obama.
In his proclamation, President

Obama noted the way “Americans and
Germans have inspired each other and
worked to address key challenges that
affect the world we share.”

Upcoming deadlines
for the DANK GermanAmerican Journal
To keep this magazine on
schedule for on-time delivery
please use the following schedule
for upcoming issues:

February/March: Jan. 10
Chapter news and pictures
should be sent to the editor, Ron
Kabitzke at lutheran@wi.rr.com. If
you need assistance of any kind
please call me and I will be more
than happy to assist you. My number is 262.675.6336

On 11 June 1985 almost 30 spies crossed the bridge between Potsdam and West Berlin in the biggest spy swap
of the Cold War.

Auf Berliner Seite hing die Flagge der USA, auf Potsdamer
The US flag was flying on the BERLIN side; the flags of
Seite waren wieder die Fahnen von DDR und Sowjetunion EAST GERMANY (GDR) and the Soviet Union had again
gehisst worden: Wem im November 2014 beim Blick zur been raised on Potsdam side. People with an uneasy feeling
Glienicker Brücke mulmig zuas they looked towards
mute wurde, tröstete sich mit
Glienicke Bridge in
dem liebsten Gedanken aller
November 2014 could
verängstigten Kinobesucher:
comfort
themselves
„Es ist ja nur ein Film.“
with the favourite
Trotzdem konnte man sich
thought of all scared
angesichts der Kulisse für eincinema goers: “It’s only
en Dreh von Regisseur Steven
a movie, after all.”
Spielberg leicht zurückversetzt
Director
Steven
fühlen in die Zeit des Kalten
Spielberg had only had
Krieges. Mehrere Tage lang
the backdrop built for
fing Spielberg auf der Havea film shoot, but you
lbrücke Szenen für einen Film
could still be forgiven
über den US-Piloten Francis
for thinking you had
Gary Powers ein, der 1960 über
been whisked back
Ronald Kabitzke Photo to the Cold War era.
der Sowjetunion abgeschossen
The Glienicker Bridge (Spy Bridge) at Potsdam, Germany
und gefangen genommen worSpielberg filmed scenes
den war. 1962 wurde er gegen
on the bridge over the
den in den USA inhaftierten KGB-Spion Rudolf Abel ausge- river Havel for several days. The film was about the US pilot
tauscht. Tom Hanks spielt im Film dessen Anwalt.
Francis Gary Powers, who had been shot down over the Soviet
Es war seinerzeit das erste Mal, dass die Glienicker Brücke Union in 1960 and taken prisoner. In 1962 he was exchanged
Schauplatz eines solchen Handels wurde. Bei zwei weiteren for the KGB spy Rudolf Abel, who had been in jail in the USA.
Gelegenheiten wechselten Agenten dort die Seiten. Der Tom Hanks plays his lawyer in the film.
größte Austausch des Kalten Krieges ereignete sich am 11.
Back then, this was the first time that the Glienicke Bridge
Juni 1985. Fast 30 Spione übertraten damals auf der Brücke had been the scene of such a trade-off. Spies changed sides
jenen weißen Streifen, der die Grenze zwischen der Bundesre- there on two further occasions. The biggest exchange of the
publik und der DDR markierte. Die meisten von ihnen waren Cold War took place on 11 June 1985, when almost 30 spies
CIA-Informanten.
crossed the white lines on the bridge marking the border between the Federal Republic and the GDR. Most of them were
„Dem Willkürregime entkommen“
CIA informants.
Auch Eberhard Fätkenheuer trat damals den Weg in den
“Escaped from that despotic regime”
Westen an. „Gemeinsam mit den anderen US-Spionen lief ich
rund 30 Meter über die Brücke“, erinnerte er sich in einem BeEberhard Fätkenheuer also took on the journey to the West
itrag für den „Spiegel“. „Ich stand so neben mir, dass ich sogar at that time. “I walked about 30 metres over the bridge togethmeine Tasche im Bus vergaß – die trug mir Kornblum [Anm. er with the other US spies,” he recalled in an article for Der
d. Red.: John Kornblum, ab 1985 US-Gesandter in Berlin] Spiegel. “I was so beside myself that I even left my bag behind
hinterher. Als ich dann schließlich die weiße Linie passierte on the bus – Kornblum picked it up for me [ed.’s note: John
und in den orange-rot-braun gestreiften Bus mit dem West- Kornblum, US Ambassador in BERLIN after 1985]. Once I
berliner Kennzeichen stieg, hatte ich nur noch Angst. Vor al- had finally crossed the white line and boarded the orangelem Existenzangst.“ Schwierig sei die Zeit danach gewesen, red-brown striped bus with the West BERLIN registration, I
und doch: „Heute fahre ich oft zur Glienicker Brücke – sie felt nothing but fear. Existential fear mainly.” The time after
verinnerlicht für mich das Gefühl, dem Willkürregime ent- that was difficult, and yet: “Today I often go to the Glienicke
kommen zu sein. Das macht mich stolz.“
Bridge – for me it embodies the feeling that I had escaped
Die Glienicker Brücke ist längst ein Symbol. Nach dem from that despotic regime. That makes me proud.”
ZWEITEN WELTKRIEG wieder aufgebaut und 1949 als
The Glienicke Bridge has long since become a symbol. Re„Brücke der Einheit“ eröffnet, war sie fast vier Jahrzehnte built after THE SECOND WORLD WAR and opened in 1949
lang für den normalen Verkehr gesperrt. Die eine Hälfte lag as the Bridge of Unity, normal traffic was blocked for almost
im Osten, die andere im Westen – was man auch am unter- four decades. One half of the bridge was in the East, the other
schiedlichen Anstrich sehen konnte. Erst am 10. November in the West – which you could even tell by the different kinds
1989, einen Tag nach dem Fall der Berliner Mauer, war der of paint that were used. Not until 10 November 1989, one day
Überweg wieder frei.
after the fall of the BERLIN Wall, was it re-opened to traffic.
www.bundesstiftung-aufarbeitung.de

Celebrating the German Language Certification with the Consul General
By Dr. Silvia Schmid, Co-director
DANK School Chicago Northern Suburbs – Chapter 26
Learning German can be easy, or at least, it looked like it
when the German Consul General Herr Quelle handed out
the certificates to our students who took the level A2/B1 exam
of the Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz
(DSD I). It takes several years to reach a level in German to

understand grammar, to have a conversation, to write an essay. Once a student shows competency to take the level A2/
B1, it will show proof that the student has reached a language
level in German which will give opportunities to study at a
German university.

Frohe Weihnachten
Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year
Benton Harbor
St. Joseph, MI #13

Our beginner students start with simple vocabulary like
‘Hallo’ (hello), ‘Guten Tag, wie geht’s?’ (Good morning, how
are you?), the colors blau, rot, gelb (blue, red, green), or the
numbers, eins, zwei, drei (one, two, three). Übung macht
den Meister. “Practice is what makes a master.” Mastery of the
German language takes time and effort. It takes continuous
sharpening of the skills and practice to get really good at German, and unfortunately, there is no shortcut for any language
proficiency.
Every year, the DANK German Language School offers
German language competencies exams for students who have
reached certain levels of proficiency. The exam includes several sections, oral and written, and extends over two days. There
is a lot of preparation that goes into these exams.
The DANK German Language School had several students
this year who passed the exam, and we were honored to welcome the German Consul General Herr Quelle to celebrate
the achievement of our students. They have been learning
German for several years, and yet, they are still young and
barely started high school. Congratulations! Herzliche Gratulation! We are proud of you and wish you the best!
German Language Schools in Arlington Heights IL and
Palatine IL
http://chicagogermanschools.org/

With Joachim Gauck, a German president has finally made it
back into the Oval Office. That in itself is enough to satisfy many
in Germany.
The Germans also attentively took note of the fact that Gauck
spent much more time meeting with President Obama than was
originally planned. The last time that a German president was received in the White House was 18 years ago, when Roman Herzog
had the honor. Too long, say many, sensing a lack of regard.
However, that kind of diplomatic bean counting is completely superfluous. It is a remnant of days gone by, and comes from
a time when the Germans - timidly cowering at the side of the
USA - were uncertain of themselves and their role. Yet, anyone
watching the world news today can see daily evidence that this
is no longer the case. Germany appears self-assured, and its help
is sought like never before: in the Ukraine crisis, the Iran nuclear
agreement and now the Syrian conflict.
Germans need not be concerned about a lack of attention.
Indeed, perhaps they ought to be more concerned about overwhelming expectations.
No question, Obama's meeting with Gauck was intended to
be a gesture of appreciation for Gauck, who represents German
unity like no other; who - as a pastor and former head of the
agency charged with overseeing former East Germany's state security files after unification - exudes moral authority. The American president's appreciation was also for Germany, his country's
most important European ally - and above all, for Chancellor Angela Merkel, who no doubt opened the doors to the White House
for Gauck. Appreciation was the message intended for the many
doubters and critics in Germany, who during the NSA scandal
saw their reservations about the USA confirmed.
But there was another message, and it was far more important.
It came from Gauck himself: The German president reminded the
Americans of their special responsibility in the refugee crisis, and
did so in a much more direct fashion than Chancellor Merkel ever
would have. For the chaos and refugee movements were set off,
not least of all, by American military interventions in the Middle
East. Gauck's call for more cooperation in the refugee question
was one of the most political moments of his entire USA trip. Unfortunately, Obama only responded to the call with commonplace
statements - though he correctly analyzed the fact that the refugee
crisis could endanger German political stability in the longterm.
More important than the USA taking in more refugees, would
be to get the Obama administration to urgently begin working on
a political solution to the root problem. But that is not the job of
the German president, it is the job of the chancellor. Her open line
to Putin is as valuable to Obama as Germany's special contacts to
Iran were during the nuclear negotiations with Tehran.
Joachim Gauck tried not to let the big picture of the current
political crises slip out of sight. He firmly traced the historical
lines of German-American friendship. His message to the skeptical audience at home was unmistakable: Never has this friendship
been as important as it is today. In light of the many crises Europe
faces, America's help is more important than ever.
Gauck forcefully called for the Americans not to turn away
from the old continent. Because Europeans cannot solve their
internal crises, nor the conflicts to their east and south on their
own. The refugee crisis caused by the conflict in Syria is simply
the latest example of that.

Milwaukee's German Immersion School
and English testing requirements
Thirty-five years ago, in response to the upheaval caused
by a school integration lawsuit, the Milwaukee School Board
created three language immersion elementary schools; one in
German, and the others in French and Spanish.
The idea for these schools came from then Circuit Court
Judge Frederick P. Kessler (a 40-year DANK Member) and
in an African-American School Board member, Leon Todd,
both of whom sent their children to the German Immersion
School, where everything in kindergarten and the first three
grades is taught in German. English reading and grammer is
first introduced in the higher grades.
These schools, now operating for over three decades, have
consistently ranked among the highest performing schools
based on test scores of over 100 elementary schools in Milwaukee. The German Immersion School has ranked among
the top three for almost its entire existence.
Trouble came when President Bush proposed the "No
Child Left Behind" law, which measured schools by testing
elementary students in English proficiency. This requirement
led the German Immersion School to have teachers begin
testing children in English, defeating the whole goal of immersion education. The school system started to require time
be spent teaching English in the early elementary grades.
A number of parents came to now State Representative
Frederick P. Kessler seeking help in getting the school system
to find a reading test in German that could be used to evaluate
students' proficiency that would comply with the spirit of the
"No Child Left Behind" law.
Representative Kessler organized a group of parents to
travel to the State Capitol and meet with State Superintendent
of Public Instruction, Dr. Tony Evers. On August 24, 2015,
the state Department of Public Instruction approved a test in
German, French and Spanish for the three schools to meet the
law's requirements.
Kessler said, "I am proud of the role I played in starting
the only public German Immersion elementary school in the
United States and I am pleased that we have been able to require the Milwaukee School board to test children's reading
skills in the language that is being used to teach them and
keep this unique high-quality education option for children
and parents in Milwaukee.

Chapter Struggles…
By Beverly Pochatko
While this is not something new to some chapters, more
and more are finding it difficult to provide for the membership. Attendance at meetings is low but offers a great social
gathering with little or no cost to the membership they do attend!
Perhaps we need to revisit the beginnings of our chapters
to learn what attracted the members to begin with. Perhaps it
was having language classes, genealogy programs, or perhaps
travel opportunities, a variety of social events, or informative
programs with guest speakers. Mostly they joined because
they were looking for a means to share or learn about their
family’s Germanic background. The opportunity to learn
more about the culture and traditions seemed to be the common trait.
Another problem is the aging of our membership and the
difficulty in acquiring younger members. Most people will say
that the family schedules are more difficult with the children
more involved in school/sport activities. I agree with statement, however – how much value do you put on keeping your
heritage alive for future generations? At the rate it is going,
we are being totally absorbed into the melting pot of America
and will soon be known only by our ancestor’s birth place and
the traditions they so valued will be forgotten or no longer
acknowledged.
Let’s make it our goal for 2016 to increase our membership
and attendance in our chapters by sharing what we once held
so dear…our heritage.
Our new President shared his four tenets for the next two
years and beyond. They are: Pride – Proud to be German
American; Respect for all chapters, members and all ethnic
communities and cultures; Appreciation of our culture – to
share it; and the Determination to carry on and make it successful.
Sharing our stories and history with family and friends can
lead more people to join in our pride of our heritage. As long
as you show you are happy and proud to be part of DANK,
proud to share your heritage, respect that there are differences
– different cultures, different ways to communicate, and you
appreciate that there are ways to do things differently.
Think about it and let’s act on it starting now. You can and
are the strength of DANK now and in the future.